YAKIMA, WA - It takes a lot to truly make a difference in one’s community—now trying doing it for 46 years in a row. That’s exactly what FirstFruits Marketing of Washington was being recognized for at the 17th annual “Make A Difference” banquet on Thursday, October 29, 2015, hosted by the Southeast Yakima Community Center and the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington.

Highlighting 46 years of serving the Yakima community and honoring companies and individuals’ commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, this year’s banquet is a result of an ongoing partnership between FirstFruits and the Southeast Yakima Community Center.  

“We’re extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by the Southeast Yakima Community Center and the Opportunities Industrialization of Washington,” said Naomi Lule, CFO of FirstFruits Marketing of Washington and Chair of FirstFruits Marketing of Washington Missions Commissions. “We are fortunate to be able to be a major partner of this crucial work both in human input and in financial contribution.” 

FirstFruits has donated $5,000 to create a computer lab for the grade school children of an impoverished neighborhood who spend after school hours at the center. According to a press release, several FirstFruits employees are also active volunteers with the organization teaching self-image through dance classes and participating in various events throughout the year such as the annual holiday meal at Christmas and the national night out event.  

FirstFruits says its business is about coming together for a greater purpose and giving back under the servant leadership business model. Additional recent philanthropic endeavors include sponsoring Yakima’s Northwest Harvest’s “Carve Out Hunger” event where it raised over 69,000 meals and donated $5,000 to Convoy of Hope for South Carolina relief, FirstFruits adds. Even further, a percentage of FirstFruits profits are allocated by its employees to non-profit organizations annually.

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